Osteospermum plant named ‘Sunny Felix’

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Osteospermum  plant named ‘Sunny Felix’, characterized by its white ray florets with a small, but distinct violet-blue spot, violet-blue to gray-purple disc florets, dark green foliage, long ray florets measuring about 37 mm in length, and more leaves and shorter petioles than the typical  Osteospermum  variety.

Botanical designation: Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl.

Variety denomination: ‘Sunny Felix’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl., commonly known as Cape Daisy, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘Sunny Felix’.

The new Osteospermum is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Bjarne Larsen, in Stige, Odense, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Osteospermum variety with inverted conical, compact, and upright plant habit, interesting inflorescence color, and good keeping quality.

The new Osteospermum originated from a planned crossing of two selected parent plants made by the inventor in 2002 in Stige, Odense, Denmark. The female or seed parent is an Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl. cultivar designated ‘2.298.98’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is an Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl. cultivar designated ‘9913’ (unpatented). The new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Felix’ was selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above crossing in 2003 in a controlled environment in Stige, Odense, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Osteospermum cultivar by apical stem cutting was first performed in February of 2003 in Stige, Odense, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Sunny Felix’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Sunny Felix’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. White ray florets with a small, but distinct violet-blue         spot;     -   2. Violet-blue to gray-purple disc florets;     -   3. Dark green foliage;     -   4. Long ray florets, measuring about 37 mm in length; and     -   5. More leaves and shorter petioles than a typical Osteospermum         variety.

Plants of the parental cultivars, ‘2.298.98’ (unpatented) and ‘9913’ (unpatented) are not longer unavailable to provide a botanical comparison to plants of the new cultivar ‘Sunny Felix’.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Felix’ is the Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Cecil’, (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,273). In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Stige, Denmark, plants of ‘Sunny Felix’ differed from plants of ‘Sunny Cecil’ in the characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Female Parent New Cultivar ‘Sunny Cecil’ Trait ‘Sunny Felix’ (patented) Overall Plant Shape Inverted conical, upright Globular, upright Number of 4 primary, 4 primary, Lateral Branches 9 secondary (flowering) 17 secondary Lateral Branch Primary: 5 cm, Primary: About 3 cm, Length Secondary: 8-14 cm Secondary: 7-12 cm (incl. inflorescence) Quantity of Leaves 25-31 10-15 per Lateral Branch Internode Length 17 mm About 3 mm Foliage Color Young, upper side: Young, upper side: RHS 139A RHS 147A Young, underside: Young, underside: RHS 137C RHS 139B Mature, upper side: Mature, upper side: RHS 137B RHS 147A Mature, under side: Mature, under side: RHS 138A RHS 147A Petiole Length: 5-10 mm 10-30 mm Ray Floret Color White, RHS N155C, White, RHS 155D (upper side, fully with a small opened) violet-blue spot, RHS 92A, at apex Disc Floret Color Violet-blue, RHS N92A Gray-purple, (upper side, when RHS 186A opening) Peduncle Length 9-12 cm 7-10 cm Anther Color Black (Grey Group), Blue RHS N99B RHS 202A

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Felix’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of the new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Felix’.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical potted flowering plant of ‘Sunny Felix’, as a produced cultivar, 20 weeks after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a top and bottom perspective view of inflorescences of ‘Sunny Felix’, as a produced cultivar, 20 weeks after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a dissected view of a typical flower of ‘Sunny Felix’, as a produced cultivar, 20 weeks after planting.

FIG. 4 shows a view of typical leaves and bud of ‘Sunny Felix’, as a produced cultivar, 20 weeks after planting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Felix’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength, without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of the new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Felix’ as grown in a greenhouse in Stige, Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice and garden use Vegetative propagation with apical tip cuttings (4-5 leaves) took place in a greenhouse with propagation tents for 3 weeks with the day and night temperature averaging about 20° C. The temperature was then lowered to the day and night temperature averaging about 14° C. The plants were subirrigated with a nutrient solution of 2-3 mS when needed and given supplementary irradiation with SON T lamps having an installed energy level of 400 Wm².

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition 2000, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the spring season when outdoor day temperatures ranged from 7° C. to 15° C. and outdoor night temperatures ranged from 0° C. to 7° C. The age of the plants described is 20 weeks.

-   Botanical classification: Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl.             designated ‘2.298.98’ (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl.             designated ‘9913’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Apical stem cutting.         -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—Summer: About 12 to             14 days at 20° C. to 22° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse.             Winter: About 17 to 20 days at 20° C. to 22° C. in tunnels             in a greenhouse.         -   Time and temperature to develop roots.—Summer: About 14 to             18 days at 20° C. to 22° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse.             Winter: About 20 to 22 days at 20° C. to 22° C. in tunnels             in a greenhouse.         -   Rooting description.—100% rooting.         -   Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous and branching.         -   Root color.—White, RHS 155D.         -   Root texture.—Coarse. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Perennial plant with upright             plant habit used as a bedding or potted plant. Osteospermum             inflorescences in composite heads, daisy type.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Freely branching with lateral             flowering branches forming at every node; dense and bushy.         -   Growth rate/vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Plant height (soil level to top of plant plane).—About 20             cm, Range: 18-22.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 17 cm, Range: 15-19.         -   Plant strength.—Low temperature tolerance: Withstands             temperatures down to +1° C. High temperature tolerance: Not             tested over +30° C., but flowering ceases over 28° C.         -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—After             rooting, about 16 weeks are required to produce finished             flowering plants in 11 cm pots. -   Branches:     -   -   Number of branches per plant.—4 primary, 9 secondary.         -   Length.—Primary: About 5 cm. Secondary: 8-14 cm (including             inflorescence).         -   Diameter.—About 4-5 mm.         -   Internode length.—Average 17 mm, Range 9-29 mm.         -   Strength.—Sturdy.         -   Aspect.—Upright, branches at 70° angle.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144C. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate (5-whorl), single, lobed, obovate to             lanceolate.         -   Length.—About 3-7 cm.         -   Width.—About 1-3 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Obovate to lanceolate, lobed.         -   Shape at apex.—Mature leaf: obtuse. Young leaf: subacute.         -   Shape at base.—Attenuate, decurrent.         -   Margin.—Lobed, pinnateilobate (4-6 acute lobes).         -   Texture.—Scattered, short stiff hairs along veins and edges.         -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 139A, green.             Lower surface: RHS 137C, green.         -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: 137B, green. Lower             surface: 138A, green.         -   Venation pattern.—Brochidodromus, form of pinnate.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: Not visible against             background tissue. Lower surface: RHS 138B, green.         -   Petiole length.—About 5-10 mm.         -   Petiole diameter.—About 2-4 mm (flat, winged).         -   Petiole texture.—Glabrous.         -   Petiole color.—Yellow-green, RHS 145B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Terminal and axillary inflorescences held above             and beyond the foliage. Single, composite inflorescence             form, radially symmetrical, with ligulate-shaped ray florets             and disc florets massed at the center; ray and disc florets             arranged acropetally on a capitulum. Inflorescences face             upright with aspect of 80° C.         -   Natural flowering season.—Continuous throughout the spring             and summer in temperature regions. Season can be extended by             vernalization and long day treatments. Flowering may cease             if temperatures exceed 28° C.         -   Time to flower.—5 to 10 days (longevity of individual             inflorescences is dependent on temperature and light             conditions).         -   Postproduction longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good color             and substance for about 14 days on the plant when grown in             an outdoor environment. Inflorescences persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences.—Freely flowering; more than 25             open inflorescences and inflorescence buds per plant.         -   Rate of inflorescences opening.—About 3 per week per plant,             depending on light and temperature conditions.         -   Fragrance.—Flowers have a weak, fresh lemon scent. -   Bud:     -   -   Rate of opening (from showing color to fully open             inflorescence).—4 to 5 days.         -   Length.—About 0 to 16 mm at color showing.         -   Diameter.—About 0 to 10 mm.         -   Shape.—Globular until color, then ovoid.         -   Color.—From RHS 145C, yellow green (base) to yellow-green,             RHS 146B (apex). -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Terminal: About 12 cm. Secondary: About 10 cm.             Tertitiary: About 9 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 2-3 mm.         -   Appearance and angle.—Terminal: Erect. Secondary: About 10             to 25 degrees from vertical. Tertiary: About 30 to 80             degrees from vertical.         -   Strength.—Strong, stiff.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence depth.—About 2-3 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 6-7 cm.         -   Receptacle diameter.—About 1.2 cm.         -   Receptacle height.—About 0.5 cm.         -   Receptacle shape.—Semi-globular.         -   Receptacle color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144D. -   Ray florets:     -   -   Quantity per inflorescence.—Typical number: 20, overlapping.             Observed number: 19-21.         -   Length.—About 37 mm. Range 35-39 mm.         -   Width.—About 8 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Elliptic, ligulate.         -   Shape at apex.—Acute with slight retuse tip.         -   Shape at base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Shiny. Lower surface: Dull.         -   Orientation.—Initially 30 degrees from vertical, with             development, close to 90 degrees from vertical.         -   Color (upper surface).—When opening & when fully opened: RHS             N155C, white, with a small violet-blue spot at apex, RHS             92A.         -   Color (lower surface).—When opening: Base: RHS 92B,             violet-blue, with stripes of RHS N79B, purple, alternating             with RHS N80A, purple-violet When fully opened: Base: RHS             92B, violet-blue, with stripes now more RHS N80A,             purple-violet. -   Disc florets:     -   -   Quantity per inflorescence.—Typical number: 102. Observed             number: 90-110.         -   Length.—About 10 mm.         -   Width.—At apex: About 4 mm. At base: About 1 mm.         -   Disc area diameter.—About 13 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Tubular.         -   Shape at apex.—Star.         -   Shape at base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: shiny, translucent. Lower surface:             shiny, translucent.         -   Color (when opening).—Upper and lower surfaces: violet-blue,             RHS N92A.         -   Color (when fully opened).—Upper and lower surfaces:             gray-purple, RHS N187A. -   Phyllaries:     -   -   Quantity per inflorescence.—About 20 units in a single             whorl.         -   Length.—About 6 to 12 mm.         -   Width.—About 1-3 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Gladiate, basally fused.         -   Shape at apex.—Acute.         -   Shape at base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Upper side: green, RHS 137D (translucent edges).             Under side: green, RHS 137C. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium: On disc florets only.     -   -   Stamen number.—5 per floret; fused around style.         -   Stamen length.—About 6 mm.         -   Anther shape.—Linear.         -   Anther length.—About 2 mm.         -   Anther color.—Black, RHS 202A.         -   Pollen amount.—Plenty.         -   Pollen color.—Orange, RHS N25A. -   Gynoecium: On ray and disc florets only.     -   -   Quantity.—1 per floret.         -   Pistil length.—About 4 mm.         -   Stigma shape.—Brush-like.         -   Stigma color.—Purple, RHS N187A.         -   Style length.—About 2 mm.         -   Style color.—White, RHS N155D.         -   Ovary color.—Green-yellow, RHS 2D. -   Seed: None observed at this stage of development. -   Fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Good. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: No diseases observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Osteospermum have exhibited     good tolerance to draught, rain and wind, however flowering may     cease during hot periods (temperatures above 28° C.). Low     temperature tolerance to 1° C. -   Growth retardant(s): 3 times 0.2% Chlormequat drench during     production. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘Sunny Felix’, as illustrated and described herein. 